A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Ravenna vs. Como for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Ravenna or Como?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ravenna and Como. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a off-the-beaten-path, charming, and authentic town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a trendy, fun, and vibrant lake area. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Ravenna and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ravenna or Como?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Como than Ravenna. While Ravenna is larger than Como, Como has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Como is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Ravenna is known for its museums and small town charm. Como is more touristy than Ravenna and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also home to the lakeside setting. Ravenna is popular for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Ravenna different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Como and Ravenna. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ravenna or Como?

Ravenna is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ravenna can be an interesting and educational experience. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Is the Food Better in Ravenna or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Como, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

Dining out in Ravenna is an experience not to be missed. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is Ravenna or Como Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Ravenna and Como.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Ravenna. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Ravenna or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a good destination for the beache. However, Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Como offers a nice beach destination. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Is Ravenna or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Ravenna is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Como. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Ravenna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ravenna or Como?

Como is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Como draws large crowds to its stores. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

Many visitors go to Ravenna to go shopping. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Is Ravenna or Como Better for Families?

Both Ravenna and Como are great family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Ravenna is very family-friendly. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

Como is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is Ravenna or Como Better for Couples?

Como is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Como is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

Couples visit Ravenna frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

Is Ravenna or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ravenna. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

Is Ravenna or Como Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Ravenna and Como.

Ravenna has some public transit options. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

You'll find some public transit in Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Ravenna or Como a more walkable city?

Ravenna and Como are great when it comes to walkability.

Ravenna is a very walkable town. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

Como is a very walkable destination. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

For even more information, also check out Is Ravenna Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Ravenna?

How long in Ravenna or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Ravenna or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ravenna, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

Families should spend more time in Como than Ravenna. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Como, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Como than Ravenna. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Como that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como than Ravenna if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Como.

One day in Ravenna or Como?

Ravenna is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Como, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This lake area offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Ravenna or Como?

Ravenna is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Como, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Como has to offer.

Five days in Ravenna or Como?

Ravenna is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Como is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Ravenna or Como?

Because Ravenna is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Como. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ravenna and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Ravenna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ravenna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ravenna and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Como would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Como than you might in Ravenna.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ravenna Expensive? and Is Como Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ravenna or Como?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Ravenna and Como, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Ravenna or Como?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ravenna or Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Ravenna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ravenna in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Ravenna is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ravenna in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Ravenna usually receives more rain than Como. Ravenna gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ravenna or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Ravenna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ravenna for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Como because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ravenna is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Ravenna average around 14°C (58°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Como gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ravenna usually gets less rain in October than Como. Ravenna gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ravenna or Como in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ravenna and Como. The winter months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Como this time of year.

It's quite cold in Como in the winter. The weather in Ravenna can be very cold. Ravenna is much colder than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Ravenna averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In January, Ravenna usually receives less rain than Como. Ravenna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ravenna or Como in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ravenna as well as Como. The small town charm are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Ravenna is cooler than Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ravenna in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Ravenna usually gets less rain in April than Como. Ravenna gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Ravenna